Take me out to the ballgame...

After spending a lovely week in the place I called home for three years (Dallas), I got the chance to go to the place that will always feel like home (Tulsa).  My loving mother drove all the way down to Dallas to pick me up and take me back to Oklahoma, or God's country, as Kevin calls it. ;)  Because my mom and I love to shop in Dallas, we spent about 24 hours shopping, eating and seeing Kevin in Ft. Worth before we made the drive back to Tulsa.  You wouldn't believe how much shopping we accomplished in such a short time!  We had so much fun, as we always do, when shopping together and telling each other what clothes we MUST buy.  We also stopped in Oklahoma City during the drive to have dinner with two of my aunts and four of my cousins.  It was really great to catch up with all of them.

While I was in Oklahoma, I met Kevin in Ada for his alma mater's homecoming weekend.  We saw a lot of dear friends and family while we there, and the most exciting part of the weekend requires a little bit of background.  I have known Kevin for approximately five and half years.  In that time, I've watched him play golf, flag football, slow pitch softball, volleyball and dodgeball, but I have NEVER had the privilege of watching him play the sport he played in college...BASEBALL.  I've seen high school and college photos of him in his baseball uniforms (and boy did he wear them well!), but I've never even seen a video of him playing baseball.  So, when it worked out for Kevin to be in Ada to play in the East Central University Alumni baseball game, I was pumped to go watch him play.  I sat in the bleachers with my father-in-law with my camera in hand, anxiously waiting for Kevin to take the mound.  Finally, he did...and I started snapping photos like crazy.  Here are some shots of my handsome husband in action.

Home SWEET Home

After spending three glorious weeks in Texas and Oklahoma, Kevin and I are happy to be home. We absolutely love being back in Oklahoma or anywhere near it because it feels like home, but now that we are married...there's no better place than being together in our own home.

While Kevin was training in Ft. Worth, I made the rounds to see dear friends and family. My first stop was Dallas to celebrate the 30th birthday of my dear friend, Susan! She also let me stay in the guest room of her amazingly gorgeous high rise apartment, The Glass House. Yes, her place is as cool as it sounds! Susan, you are an amazing decorator with a beautiful sense of style. While I was in town, I saw Amanda & Simon, Ashlee, Allie, Jojo & Jason (+ Jackson) and a bunch of other college friends! I just love catching up with old friends face to face. :) As an added bonus, Kevin and I got to see each other more than I expected, and we got to hang out with some of his awesome college friends and their sweet families. To the Jones, Edmonds and Fatheree families, we had a fantastic time seeing all of you (and I'm so sad that I didn't have my camera when we hung out)! It was such a treat to see everyone and a lovely reminder that we are blessed with incredible friends. Stay tuned for more posts about our time in Texas and Oklahoma.

Happy Birthday, Susan!

Handsome baby Jackson

Theta Love!

My attempt to be a photographer...

Last week, I had the pleasure of taking family photos for my sweet and beautiful friend, Nicole. In case you're wondering...I have absolutely ZERO experience doing anything like this, and I have only had my DSLR camera for three short months. So, PLEASE lower your expectations before you scroll down. (Thank you!) On the other hand, I really enjoy taking photos with my new camera and I just love this family to pieces...so I had to say yes when Nicole asked me for this little favor. Before the big day, I spent quite a bit of time scoping out potential locations and even more time researching photography tips online. Kevin was also a huge help in this effort because he willingly 'posed' in front of different backdrops for me so I could see what my practice photos would look like w/ a human in them. :)

I went into the photoshoot incredibly nervous and came out of it just as nervous about the results because it was one of the hardest things I've ever done! I knew that it was going to be difficult because photography is truly an art form and I am such a beginner, but I didn't realize how brief the moments would be when I had everyone's attention and happy faces! Fortunately for me, this family looks cute all the time no matter what they're doing...so I managed to capture some great shots while learning a LOT about photography. I would love to be great at this craft someday but I need much more practice if that is ever going to happen. Thank you, Nicole & Adam, for letting me take your family photos! I miss you guys already, and it still hasn't sunk in that you're living in Japan for the next three years. :(

Here are some of my favorites from the 500 or so I took.

A shout out to my MOM, our faithful visitor!

A couple of weeks ago, my wonderful mom came to visit! This is her third trip to see us in San Diego (her first trip was w/ my dad & brother and her second trip was w/ my dad), and we were ready for some girl time in this fabulous city! To sum up our week, we did most of the things we do best together...we shopped, we talked, we sunbathed, we baked, we ate and then we shopped a little more...okay, a lot more. It was SO much fun!!! Surprisingly, my mom and I (who are both photo fanatics) didn't take one photo together while she was here! :( Totally out of character for us...but we made some great memories and enjoyed quality girl time. Mom, thank you for making another trip to see us! We appreciate you and all that you do for us! Love you so much!

I will try to be a better blogger...

I'm sorry I haven't posted anything in several weeks! Since I am new to the blogging world, I still feel a bit awkward posting things b/c I have no idea if anyone is reading them. :) Oh well, I'll just work on getting better and cross my fingers that friends and family who check our blog are enjoying the posts. Today I read some helpful tips on blogging by the one and only Pioneer Woman so I feel rather inspired to post. By the way, if you haven't been introduced to www.thepioneerwoman.com then let me tell you, her website is so informative and entertaining! The content on the website seems endless, and you can find everything from photography tutorials to her real-life love story to extremely tasty recipes (with detailed instructions and step-by-step photos!). If you aren't fully convinced to check her out, then you should be when I tell you this -- she's an Oklahoma girl! Yea!


A few weeks ago, Kevin and I went to Sea World San Diego for FREE! How generous is it for Sea World to give military families free admission once a year?! So nice. The weather was perfectly sunny, we had a great time seeing all of the exhibits and I really enjoyed taking photos with my new camera! The Shamu show was probably my favorite part of the day, because I was completely amazed by the tricks those whales could do...especially in unison. Here are some of the 600+ photos I took. (I just love my new camera!)

UNION REUNION and BABY SHOWER

Ten years ago, I graduated from Union High School and started my journey at the University of Oklahoma. WOW. I cannot believe how quickly a decade has passed! Even now, I can remember standing in the parking lot with my best friends on our last day of high school. We were SO sad that our great high school experience was over and that we were separating for college, but little did we know...life was going to get even better! College life was amazing, and married life is the greatest thing I've ever known. I've been told that life seems to pass more and more quickly the older you get, and I definitely believe it. What a sweet reminder to find joy in each day and cherish time with the people you love!

So, I'm thinking about what I was doing ten years ago, because I had my TEN year high school reunion a few weeks ago. It was so fun! Kevin and I flew to Tulsa for a long weekend and had a great time seeing high school friends. I really enjoyed catching up with people I haven't seen in years, and I absolutely loved seeing my closest friends from high school...because I think we're even closer now than we were as teenagers!

I also had the privilege of helping host a Sip & See shower for my friend, Jen, and her new baby, Athan, that weekend. Here are some pics from all of the festivities. (Good news--I learned how to embed a slideshow!)